Fertility Preservation Options for Cancer Patients
Learn how cancer treatment can affect fertility and what preservation options exist for men and women.
In short: Cancer treatment can affect the ability to have children, so every cancer patient should be referred to a fertility specialist before treatment starts. For women the options are egg freezing (the most common), embryo freezing (higher success) or freezing ovarian tissue. For men: sperm freezing after puberty, with a high success rate, or freezing testicular tissue for boys before puberty, which is still experimental.
A cancer diagnosis brings many urgent decisions, and future fertility is often one of the concerns that gets overlooked in the rush to begin treatment. Yet chemotherapy, radiotherapy and certain surgeries can affect fertility in both men and women, sometimes permanently.
That’s why all cancer patients — regardless of age — should be counselled about fertility preservation options before starting treatment, so they keep the possibility of having children in the future.
The effect of cancer treatment on fertility depends on several factors, including:
- Type of cancer
- Age of patient
- Type of cancer treatment
- Dose of treatment
- Duration of therapy
- Location of cancer
1- Fertility preservation options for women
- Egg freezing
- Embryo freezing
- Ovarian tissue freezing
- Ovarian suppression
Egg freezing
- The most commonly used method
- Ovaries are stimulated with hormones, after which eggs are collected and frozen for future use
- Suitable for both married and unmarried women
- Stimulation can now start on any day of the cycle and usually takes about two weeks, so it rarely delays cancer treatment significantly; in hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast cancer, letrozole is added to keep hormone levels low
Embryo freezing
- Generally associated with a higher success rate
- Used for married women
Ovarian tissue freezing
- Ovarian cortex is removed surgically, frozen, and reimplanted after cancer treatment is completed
- Doesn’t require hormonal stimulation, which can be helpful in certain cancers
It is the only option for girls before puberty and is no longer considered experimental; however, it may not be suitable in some cancers, such as leukemia, because of the risk of reintroducing cancer cells when the tissue is replaced
Ovarian suppression
- Suppressing the ovaries may help protect their function during chemotherapy
- May reduce ovarian damage
- Does not guarantee fertility preservation on its own
- Best used alongside other, more reliable methods
2- Fertility preservation options for men
- Sperm freezing
- Testicular tissue freezing
Sperm freezing
- Requires puberty (active sperm production)
- Non-invasive
- Associated with a high success rate
Testicular tissue freezing
- Used for prepubertal boys
- Still considered experimental
- Invasive and requires local or general anesthetic
Cancer patients of all ages benefit from an early referral to a fertility specialist before starting treatment, to better understand their options and improve their chances of future parenthood. If you or a loved one are facing this situation, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is available to discuss fertility preservation options as part of your care journey.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
I’d like to thank Dr. Najeeb Layyous and Dr. Alaa for the follow-up that led, God willing, to pregnancy. Truly among the best doctors, especially in their manner — respectful and dignified. And to the team — Lina, Dina and Shireen — outstanding at their work, gracious, and always smiling. Thank you all.